Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 10th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Bible Dictionaries
Living Beings, Living Creatures

Holman Bible Dictionary

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Characters in Ezekiel's first vision (Ezekiel 1:5 ,Ezekiel 1:5,1:13-15 ,Ezekiel 1:13-15,1:19-20 ,Ezekiel 1:19-20,1:22; also Ezekiel 3:13; Ezekiel 10:1 ). The creatures are later identified as cherubim (Ezekiel 10:20 ). The creatures numbered four. Each had a human form but with four faces. Perhaps the best interpretation views the creatures as a pictorial representation of the total sovereignty of God. Four creatures represent the four corners of the earth. The four faces represent four classes of creation: man humanity; lion king of wild beasts; ox king of domestic beasts; eagle king of the birds. Central to this interpretation is the One seated on the throne above all the creatures (Ezekiel 1:26-28 ). The Book of Revelation develops a similar image to portray God's total sovereignty (Revelation 4:7-8 ).

Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Living Beings, Living Creatures'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​l/living-beings-living-creatures.html. 1991.
 
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